Venture partner Alumina seeking to block business split, says Alcoa

Wilmington, Delaware

ALCOA Inc said joint-venture partner Alumina Ltd is threatening to interfere with a plan to split the largest US aluminium producer into two companies unless it grants concessions to the Australian firm.

Alumina officials contend they will block Alcoa's separation of the manufacturing business from its legacy smelting and refining segment unless a joint-venture agreement between the two companies is revised, Alcoa executives said in a lawsuit.